Abstract:

A longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a
first seat support member that is attachable to a vehicle. A second seat
support member that is movable with respect to the first seat support
member and configured to support the seat such that the seat is movable
with the second seat support member is also provided. A locking member
that is movable generally vertically with respect to the first and second
seat support members between a locked position and an unlocked position
for locking and unlocking the second seat support member with respect to
the first seat support member is additionally provided. The locking
member is a substantially planar two-part locking member and includes a
first part generally horizontally movable with respect to a second part.

Claims:

1. A longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus for a vehicle seat, the
adjustment apparatus comprising:a first seat support member that is
attachable to a vehicle;a second seat support member that is movable with
respect to the first seat support member and configured to support the
seat such that the seat is movable with the second seat support member;
anda locking member that is movable generally vertically with respect to
the first and second seat support members between a locked position and
an unlocked position for locking and unlocking the second seat support
member with respect to the first seat support member;wherein the locking
member is a substantially planar two-part locking member and includes a
first portion generally horizontally movable with respect to a second
part.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the locking member is
moved between the unlocked position and the locked position, the first
part engages a surface of the first seat support member and is urged
substantially horizontally into contact with a surface of the second seat
support member, thereby locking the second seat support member with
respect to the first seat support member.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the locking member is
moved between the unlocked position and the locked position, the second
part engages a surface of the first seat support member and is urged
substantially horizontally into contact with a surface of the second seat
support member, thereby locking the second seat support member with
respect to the first seat support member.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the locking member is
moved between the unlocked position and the locked position, the first
part engages a surface of the first seat support member and is urged
substantially horizontally into contact with a surface of the second seat
support member, and the second part engages a surface of the first seat
support member and is urged substantially horizontally into contact with
a surface of the second seat support member, thereby locking the second
seat support member with respect to the first seat support member.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first part and the
second part are urged substantially horizontally substantially
simultaneously.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the locking member is
moved between the unlocked position and the locked position, the first
part is urged substantially horizontally toward the second part, and the
second part is urged substantially horizontally toward the first part.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second parts
of the locking member are substantially co-planar and adjacent to one
another.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first and second parts
of the locking member are spaced apart to define a gap therebetween.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the locked position, the
locking member frictionally engages a portion of the first seat support
member and a portion of the second seat support member.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the unlocked position,
the locking member is disengaged from the first seat support member and
second seat support member.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second parts
of the substantially planar locking member are substantially planar.

12. A longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus for a vehicle seat, the
adjustment apparatus comprising:a first seat support member that is
attachable to a vehicle;a second seat support member that is movable with
respect to the first seat support member and configured to support the
seat such that the seat is movable with the second seat support member;
anda locking member that is movable generally vertically with respect to
the first and second seat support members between a locked position and
an unlocked position for locking and unlocking the second seat support
member with respect to the first seat support member;wherein the locking
member is a substantially planar two-part locking member and includes a
first part having a major face and a second part having a major
face;wherein the major face of the first part is slidingly mounted to the
major face of the second part; andwherein the first part is generally
horizontally movable with respect to the second part.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the locking member
is moved between the unlocked position and the locked position, the first
part engages a surface of the first seat support member and is urged
substantially horizontally into contact with a surface of the second seat
support member, thereby locking the second seat support member with
respect to the first seat support member.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the locking member
is moved between the unlocked position and the locked position, the
second part engages a surface of the first seat support member and is
urged substantially horizontally into contact with a surface of the
second seat support member, thereby locking the second seat support
member with respect to the first seat support member.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the locking member
is moved between the unlocked position and the locked position, the first
part engages a surface of the first seat support member and is urged
substantially horizontally into contact with a surface of the second seat
support member, and the second part engages a surface of the first seat
support member and is urged substantially horizontally into contact with
a surface of the second seat support member, thereby locking the second
seat support member with respect to the first seat support member.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first part and the
second part are urged substantially horizontally substantially
simultaneously.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein when the locking member
is moved between the unlocked position and the locked position, the first
part is urged substantially horizontally in a first direction, and the
second part is urged substantially horizontally in a second direction
opposite the first direction.

18. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein in the locked position,
the locking member frictionally engages a portion of the first seat
support member and a portion of the second seat support member.

19. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein in the unlocked position,
the locking member is disengaged from the first seat support member and
second seat support member.

20. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first and second
parts of the substantially planar locking member are substantially
planar.

Description:

BACKGROUND

[0001]Various embodiments of a seat assembly are described herein. In
particular, the embodiments described herein relate to an improved
longitudinal adjustment apparatus for a vehicle seat.

[0002]A vehicle seat assembly may include a seat supported on a
longitudinal adjustment apparatus that enables the seat to be positioned
in multiple longitudinal positions. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,113,051 and
6,648,292 disclose examples of such an apparatus.

[0003]U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,104 discloses another example of a longitudinal
adjustment apparatus for a vehicle seat. The apparatus includes an upper
rail 11, a lower rail 12, and a locking plate 21. The locking plate 21
must execute an angular movement, or tilt in the longitudinal direction,
to reach a locked position (wherein the upper and lower rails are held in
a position without play). As shown in FIG. 4, the locking plate 21 tilts
longitudinally, because the penetration depth in the wedge-shaped opening
16' is different from that of the tooth 15' in the slot 14. Thus, in the
locked position, one longitudinal end of the locking plate 21 is
horizontally higher that the other longitudinal end of the locking plate
21.

SUMMARY

[0004]The present application describes various embodiments of a
longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus for a vehicle seat. One embodiment
of the longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus includes a first seat
support member that is attachable to a vehicle. A second seat support
member that is movable with respect to the first seat support member and
configured to support the seat such that the seat is movable with the
second seat support member is also provided. A locking member that is
movable generally vertically with respect to the first and second seat
support members between a locked position and an unlocked position for
locking and unlocking the second seat support member with respect to the
first seat support member is additionally provided. The locking member is
a substantially planar two-part locking member and includes a first part
generally horizontally movable with respect to a second part.

[0005]Other advantages of the longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle seat assembly having a
first embodiment of the longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0008]FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a first embodiment of the
upper rail illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0009]FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the first embodiment
of the longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus taken along the line 4-4 in
FIG. 2.

[0010]FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the first
embodiment of the longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus taken along the
line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the locking
member illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, having a portion of the upper
and lower rails illustrated schematically.

[0012]FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of a second
embodiment of the longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus illustrated in
FIG. 2.

[0013]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the locking
member illustrated in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014]Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a
vehicle seat assembly indicated generally at 10. The illustrated vehicle
seat assembly 10 in mounted on a floor 12 of a vehicle 14. The seat
assembly 10 includes a vehicle seat 16 having a seat back 18 that may be
movably attached, such as pivotally attached, or fixedly attached to a
seat bottom 20. The assembly 10 further includes a longitudinal seat
adjustment apparatus 22 that supports the seat 16 and that is attached to
the floor 12 or other portion of the vehicle 14.

[0015]The seat adjustment apparatus 22 is structured and configured to
allow the seat 16 to be positioned in one or more longitudinal use
positions. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the seat adjustment apparatus 22
includes a first seat support member, such as a lower rail 24, that is
attachable to the vehicle 14, and a second seat support member, such as
an upper rail 26, that is attached to the seat bottom 20 and movable
longitudinally with respect to the lower rail 24. Although only one set
of support members is shown in FIG. 2, it will be understood that the
seat adjustment apparatus 22 may include any suitable number of support
members, such as one set of seat support members on each side of the seat
bottom 20.

[0016]The seat adjustment apparatus 22 further includes a locking and
unlocking device 28 for one of locking and unlocking the seat 16 in one
or more use positions, such as multiple incremental use positions. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the locking device 28 includes a first
embodiment of a locking member 30 that is supported on the upper rail 26
such that the locking member 30 is movable generally vertically with
respect to the rails 24 and 26 between a locked position, shown in FIGS.
4 and 5, and an unlocked position, shown by the phantom line 30' in FIGS.
4 and 5.

[0017]If desired, the seat adjustment apparatus 22 may include an external
release member, such as a bar or handle (not shown). For example, the
release member may be a bar or handle that is pivotally connected to a
portion of the vehicle 14 and engages the pin 32, described below.

[0018]As best shown in FIG. 4, the locking member 30 may be supported by a
support member, such as a pin 32 that extends through the upper rail 26.
In the illustrated embodiment, the pin 32 is attached to the locking
member 30 by a mounting collar assembly 34. In this embodiment, a helical
extension spring 36 is disposed between the locking member 30 and a
shoulder 33 of the pin 32, such that the spring 36 urges the locking
member 30 upwardly as viewed in FIG. 4. As explained herein below in
detail, the locking member 30 is structured and configured to cooperate
with one or more lock portions formed in the rails 24 and 26 to lock the
upper rail with respect to the lower rail 24 in a desired longitudinal
position.

[0019]Referring to FIGS. 4 through 6, additional details of the rails 24
and 26 and the locking member 30 will now be described. The upper rail 26
may be structured and configured to slide relative to the lower rail 24
with the assistance of multiple balls or rollers 38 disposed between the
rails 24 and 26. Although the rails 24 and 26 may have any suitable
construction, the illustrated upper rail 26 includes first and second
substantially planar inner walls 40 and 42, respectively, and first and
second outer walls 44 and 46, respectively, disposed outwardly of the
inner walls 40 and 42. The upper rail 26 further includes a first
generally laterally extending portion 48 that extends between the first
inner wall 40 and the first outer wall 44. A second generally laterally
extending portion 50 extends between the second inner wall 42 and the
second outer wall 46. Each portion 48 and 50 includes a bent portion 52
formed beneath a respective inner wall 40 and 42.

[0020]Each inner wall 40 and 42 includes a first lock portion 54, and each
outer wall 44 and 46 includes a second lock portion 56 that faces a
respective first lock portion 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the
first lock portion 54 includes a plurality of first openings 58 formed in
the associated inner wall 40 and 42, such that each first opening 58 is
substantially planar. Additionally, each first opening 58 is
substantially located above the associated bent portion 52. As a result,
the upper rail 26 may exhibit significant strength. The illustrated first
openings 58 are substantially rectangular in shape and include
substantially vertical side surfaces 59, although the first openings 58
may have any other desired shape, such as a trapezoidal shape. Although
five first openings 58 are shown in the exemplary embodiment illustrated
in FIG. 5, the upper rail 26 may have any desired number of first
openings 58 formed therein.

[0021]In the illustrated embodiment, and as best shown in FIG. 3, the
second lock portion 56 includes a plurality of second openings 60 formed
in the associated outer wall 44 and 46, and aligned with the first
openings 58. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, five second
openings 60 are shown. It will be understood that the number of second
openings 60 may equal the number of first openings 58; however, the upper
rail 26 may have any desired number of second openings 60 formed therein.

[0022]As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the lower rail 24 includes first and
second substantially planar inner walls 62 and 64, respectively and first
and second substantially planar outer walls 66 and 68, respectively. Each
inner wall 62 and 64 includes a third lock portion 70 that is located
between the first and second lock portions 54 and 56, respectively, of
the upper rail 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the third lock portion
70 includes a plurality of downwardly extending (when viewing FIGS. 2 and
4) teeth 72 formed in the associated inner wall 62 and 64. Adjacent teeth
72 define third openings or notches 74 therebetween. In the illustrated
embodiment, the notches 74 include a rounded protrusion 75 extending
outwardly from an upper surface of the notch 74 (extending downwardly
when viewing FIG. 5).

[0023]As best shown in FIG. 5, the illustrated teeth 72 have side surfaces
73 and are angled such that a base 72a is wider than a distal end 72b of
each tooth 72. In the illustrated embodiment, the tooth 72 has an angle
a1 of about 3 degrees from a line 76 parallel to an axis A of the tooth
72. It will be understood however, that the tooth 72 may have any desired
angle, such as an angle within the range of from about 1 degree to about
7 degrees.

[0024]In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, the locking member 30
is generally planar, has a first longitudinal side 78, a second
longitudinal side 80, and includes a first part or portion 82 and a
second part or portion 84. A first edge 86 of the first portion 82 is
mounted adjacent a first edge 88 of the second portion 84 such that the
first portion 82 and the second portion 84 are generally horizontally
movable with respect to one another, as will be described in detail
below. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the pitch between the
teeth is the same for all teeth of the locking member 30. Alternatively,
the locking member 30 may be structured and configured such that the
pitch varies and the locking member has more than one tooth pitch. It
will be understood however, that one skilled in the art will be able to
determine the appropriate pitch and number of pitches for the locking
member 30 through routine experimentation. It will be also understood
that in FIG. 6, the inner walls 42 and 64 and the outer wall 46 are
illustrated schematically.

[0025]The first portion 82 and the second portion 84 are mounted adjacent
one other such that the edges 86 and 88 are spaced a distance apart and
define a gap 90. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the gap is
about 0.5 mm wide. It will be understood however, that the gap 90 may
have any desired width, such as any width greater than 0 mm. It will be
understood that one skilled in the art will be able to determine the
appropriate width of the gap 90 through routine experimentation. The gap
90 allows for the generally horizontal movement of the first and second
portions 82 and 84 of the locking member 30, as described herein below.

[0026]The illustrated locking member 30 has a thickness within the range
of about 2.0 mm. In another embodiment, the locking member 30 has a
thickness within the range of from about 1.0 mm to about 3.0 mm. It will
be understood however, that the locking member 30 may have any other
desired thickness, such as for example a thickness smaller than 1.0 mm or
larger than 3.0 mm. It will be understood that one skilled in the art
will be able to determine the appropriate thickness of the locking member
30 through routine experimentation.

[0027]As best shown in FIG. 6, the locking member 30 may include one or
more first lock features 91, such as teeth 92, 94A-B, and 96A-C. The
illustrated locking member 30 includes five first teeth 92 formed on the
first longitudinal side 78. The teeth 92 have a uniform width w1 and
define first and second slots 98 and 100, respectively, therebetween.
Alternatively, the teeth 92 may have any desired width. For example, the
teeth 92 may have a plurality of different widths. It will be further
understood that one skilled in the art will be able to determine the
appropriate thickness of the teeth 92 through routine experimentation.

[0028]The illustrated slots 98 and 100 have a uniform width w2.
Alternatively, the slots 98 and 100 may have any desired widths. For
example, the slots 98 and 100 on the first longitudinal side 78 of the
locking member 30 may have a plurality of different widths. It will be
understood that one skilled in the art will be able to determine the
appropriate widths of the slots 98 and 100 of the locking member 30
through routine experimentation.

[0029]Two second teeth 94A and 94B are formed on the outboard ends of the
second longitudinal side 80, and three third teeth 96A, 96B, and 96C are
formed between the second teeth 94. The second teeth 94A and 94B have a
uniform width w3. The third teeth 96A, 96B, and 96C have side or outboard
edges 110 and have a uniform width w4. Alternatively, the teeth 94A-B and
96A-C may have any desired widths. For example, the teeth 94A-B and 96A-C
may have a plurality of different widths. It will be further understood
that one skilled in the art will be able to determine the appropriate
thickness of the teeth 94A-B and 96A-C through routine experimentation.

[0030]In the illustrated embodiment, the width w3 of the teeth 94A and 94B
is larger than the width w4 of the teeth 96A, 96B, and 96C, and the width
w4 of the teeth 96A, 96B, and 96C, is larger than the width w1 of the
teeth 92. Third slots 102 are defined between the teeth 94A, 96A, 96B,
96C, and 94B. The illustrated slots 102 have a uniform width w5.
Alternatively, the slots 102 may have any desired width. For example, the
slots 102 on the second longitudinal side 80 of the locking member 30 may
have a plurality of different widths. It will be understood that one
skilled in the art will be able to determine the appropriate widths of
the slots 102 of the locking member 30 through routine experimentation.

[0031]In the illustrated embodiment of the locking member 30, each third
slot 102 has a first length L1 and each second slot 100 has a second
length L2 that is substantially larger than each first length L1 to
facilitate assembly of the locking member 30 on the upper rail 26.

[0032]In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 82 includes two
first teeth 92, one second tooth 94A, and one third tooth 96A. The second
portion 84 includes three first teeth 92, one second tooth 94B, and two
third teeth 96B and 96C. It will be understood however, that the first
and second portions 82 and 84, respectively, may be formed with any
desired number of teeth.

[0033]Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the relative positions of the rails
24 and 26 and the locking member 30 when assembled into the seat
adjustment apparatus 22 will now be described. Each of the first teeth 92
on the first longitudinal side 78 extend through a first opening 58 of
the first inner wall 40 of the upper rail 26, through a notch 74 in the
first inner wall 62 of the lower rail 24, then through the second opening
60 of the first outer wall 44 of the upper rail 26.

[0034]Similarly, the second and third teeth 94A, 94B, 96A, 96B, and 96C on
the second longitudinal side 80, extend through a first opening 58 of the
second inner wall 42 of the upper rail 26, through a notch 74 in the
second inner wall 64 of the lower rail 24, then through the second
opening 60 of the second outer wall 46 of the upper rail 26.

[0035]Advantageously, the seat adjustment apparatus 22 is structured and
configured to reduce or eliminate free play. The locking member 30 may be
moved from an unlocked position, as shown at 30' in FIG. 4, by actuation
of the pin 32 such that the spring 36 urges the locking member 30 into
the locked position (upwardly when viewing FIG. 4).

[0036]As the locking member 30 moves upwardly, an upper portion of the
outboard edge 104 of each tooth 94A and 94B of the locking member 30
frictionally engages the angled side surface 73 of a tooth 72. The extent
of the maximum upward travel of the teeth 94A and 94B in the exemplary
embodiment illustrated is indicated by the circles labeled 112 and 114,
respectively. The angled side surface 73 causes the second tooth 94A of
the first portion 82 to move substantially horizontally in the direction
of the arrow 106. The angled side surface 73 of the tooth 72 also causes
the second tooth 94B of the second portion 84 to move substantially
horizontally in the direction of the arrow 108. It will be understood
that the first portion 82 and the second portion 84 of the locking member
30 moves upwardly substantially simultaneously.

[0037]As the first portion 82 moves horizontally (to the right when
viewing FIG. 5), the outboard edge 110 of the third tooth 96A is urged
into frictional engagement with a side surface 59 of a first opening 58
of the upper rail 26. As the second portion 84 moves horizontally (to the
left when viewing FIG. 5), the outboard edge 110 of the third tooth 96B
is also urged into frictional engagement with a side surface 59 of a
first opening 58 of the upper rail 26.

[0038]In the locked position, the combination of the contact between the
locking member 30, the lower rail 24, and the upper rail 26 clinch the
second inner wall 64 of the lower rail 24, the second inner wall 42 of
the upper rail 26, and the locking member 30 together, and thereby
substantially eliminating free-play.

[0039]Referring again to FIG. 6, the width w I of each first tooth 92 of
the first longitudinal side 78 of the locking member 30 is smaller than
each notch 74 in the first inner wall 62 of the lower rail 24.
Accordingly, in the locked position, as best shown in FIG. 4, the teeth
92 are urged upwardly into engagement with the protrusions 75.

[0040]Referring again to FIG. 4, as a result of the frictional contact
between the teeth 94A and 94B and the teeth 72 (see the circles 112 and
114 in FIGS. 5 and 6), and between the teeth 96A and 96B and the surface
59 of the openings 58 (see the circles 116 and 118 in FIG. 6), the second
longitudinal side 80 of the locking member 30 may move upwardly a shorter
distance than the first longitudinal side 78. Accordingly, an axis B
through the pin 32 may be disposed at an angle a2 from a vertical axis,
as represented by the line C. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle a2
is about 2.2 degrees. In another embodiment, the angle a2 may be within
the range of from about slightly greater than 0 degrees to about 5.0
degrees. It will be understood however, that the angle a2 may be any
other desired angle, and that one skilled in the art will be able to
determine the appropriate angle a2 through routine experimentation.

[0041]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a first embodiment of the relative
positions of the locking member 30, lower rail 24, and upper rail 26 in
the locked position. It will be understood however, that the second
longitudinal side 80 of the locking member 30 may be disposed relative to
the teeth 72 other than as illustrated. For example, the second
longitudinal side 80 of the locking member 30 may be disposed with the
range of from about 1.0 mm higher to about 1.0 mm lower relative to the
teeth 72 than as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0042]Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, and using like reference numbers to
indicate corresponding parts, there is indicated generally at 22' a
portion of a second embodiment of the seat adjustment apparatus. The seat
adjustment apparatus 22' is substantially identical to the seat
adjustment apparatus 22, except that it includes alternate embodiments of
an upper rail 26' and a locking member 230.

[0043]The illustrated seat adjustment apparatus 22' includes the lower
rail 24, the upper rail 26', and the locking member 230. The upper rail
26' is substantially identical to the upper rail 26, except that it
includes six first openings 258 formed in the first inner wall (not
shown) and the second inner wall 242. The openings 258 include a first
openings 258A, second openings 258B, and third openings 258C. Each
opening has a side surface. In the illustrated embodiment, a width w10 of
the first opening 258A is larger than a width w11 of the second opening
258B, and the width w11 of the second opening 258B is larger that a width
w12 of the third opening 258C.

[0044]The illustrated locking member 230 is generally planar and includes
a first part or upper plate 232 and a second part or lower plate 234,
each plate having substantially the same shape. Each plate 232 and 234
has a major face 236 and 238, respectively. As best shown in FIG. 7, the
major face 236 of the upper plate 232 is slidingly mounted to the major
face 238 of the lower plate 234, such that the plates 232 and 234 are
generally horizontally movable with respect to one another. The lower
plate 234 may be slidingly mounted to the upper plate by any desired
method, such as the mounting pins 240 illustrated in FIG. 8. The
illustrated locking member 230 has a thickness of about 2.0 mm, wherein
each of the plates 232 and 234 has a thickness of about 1.0 mm each. In
another embodiment, the locking member 230 has a thickness within the
range of from about 2.0 mm to about 5.0 mm. It will be understood
however, that the locking member 230 may have any other desired
thickness, such as for example a thickness smaller than 2.0 mm or larger
than 5.0 mm. It will be further understood that one skilled in the art
will be able to determine the appropriate thickness of the locking member
230 through routine experimentation.

[0045]The locking member 230 has a first longitudinal side 278, a second
longitudinal side 280. The locking member 230 further includes six first
teeth 292 formed on the first longitudinal side 278. The teeth 292 define
first and second slots 298 and 299, respectively, therebetween.

[0046]Two second teeth 294A and 294B and 394A and 394B are formed on the
outboard ends of the second longitudinal side 280 of the upper and lower
plates 232 and 234, respectively. The second teeth 294A and 294B and 394A
and 394B have outboard edges 204 and 304, respectively. Four third teeth
296A-D and 396A-D are formed between the second teeth of the upper and
lower plates 232 and 234, respectively. The third teeth 296A-D and 396A-D
have side or outboard edges 210 and 310, respectively.

[0047]The seat adjustment apparatus 22' is structured and configured to
reduce or eliminate free-play and operates in a similar manner as the
seat adjustment apparatus 22. In operation, the locking member 230 may be
moved from an unlocked position, as shown at 230' in FIG. 7, by actuation
of the pin 32 such that the spring 36 urges the locking member 30 into
the locked position (upwardly when viewing FIG. 7).

[0048]As the locking member 230 moves upwardly, an upper portion of the
outboard edge 204 of the tooth 294A frictionally engages the angled side
surface 73 of a tooth 72. The upper portion of the outboard edge 304 of
the tooth 394B also frictionally engages the angled side surface 73 of a
tooth 72. The extent of the maximum upward travel of the teeth 294A and
394B in the exemplary embodiment illustrated is indicated by the circles
labeled 212 and 214, respectively. The angled side surface 73 causes the
second tooth 294A of the upper plate 232 to move substantially
horizontally in the direction of the arrow 206. The angled side surface
73 of the tooth 72 also causes the second tooth 394B of the lower plate
234 to move substantially horizontally in the direction of the arrow 208.

[0049]As the upper plate 232 moves horizontally (to the right when viewing
FIG. 7), the outboard edge 210 of the third tooth 296B is urged into
frictional engagement with a side surface 259 of the first opening 258C
of the upper rail 26'. As the lower plate 234 moves horizontally (to the
left when viewing FIG. 5), the outboard edge 310 of the third tooth 396C
is also urged into frictional engagement with a side surface 259 of a
first opening 258C of the upper rail 26'.

[0050]The combination of the contact between the locking member 230, the
lower rail 24, and the upper rail 26' clinch the second inner wall 64 of
the lower rail 24, the second inner wall 42 of the upper rail 26', and
the locking member 230 together, thereby substantially eliminating
free-play.

[0051]The principle and mode of operation of the longitudinal adjustment
apparatus for a vehicle seat have been described in its preferred
embodiment. However, it should be noted that the longitudinal adjustment
apparatus described herein may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically illustrated and described without departing from its scope.